Brand: Jeremy JackLine: JJ14Size: Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46)Wrapper: Ecuadorian ConnecticutBinder: Nicaraguan Aganorsa Leaf Tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa ValleyFiller: Nicaraguan Aganorsa Leaf Tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa ValleyMSRP: $7.50Cigars smoked for review: 1Cigars for review provided by: Jeremy Jack CigarsQuick Note: For this review I used Cigar Federation's rating systemPrelight:The wrapper appeared to be very smooth with tightly pressed veins and it was a very light tan color. The prelight draw had a sweet grassy quality with a touch of some musty hay and a little bit of black pepper. The resistance on the draw was just where I tend to like it (not too loose but not too tight, while retaining some resistance).First Third:After lighting the cigar the initial flavor was a very a strong black pepper spice. This really surprised me because it’s not what I expected at all, and it was strong enough that I could not really detect any other specific flavor notes until the spice started to subside. After about half an inch the black pepper spice mellowed significantly and lighter wood flavors along with a honey type of sweetness started to emerge in the flavor profile. The wood flavors were a mix of cedar and a beachwood type of quality.Second Third:The woody flavors continued in the second third and the sweetness started to fade, giving way to a bready type of flavor along with some baking spices. These bready and baking spice flavors really dominated the flavor profile of the second third, pushing the wood notes into the background, and the sweetness from earlier was not registering anymore. The woody flavors were most noticeable on the finish during the second third.Final Third:In the final third it was difficult to distinguish specific flavors. It was like the bready and wood flavors became mixed together and took on an earthy quality in a way that gave the overall profile a grittiness. This remained the case until the cigar came to an end.Total smoking time was about 1 hour and 25 minutesFinal Thoughts:I want to try more of these and see if the flavors in the final third get less muddied. I only smoked one cigar for this review, so it could have just been this particular cigar, or it could have needed a little more rest. Either way, I’m eager to try some more and I really enjoyed the first two thirds. This cigar follows the current trend of offering more strength, flavor, and complexity than the more traditional connecticut wrapper style cigars of the past. I’m not sure if it was just me and the timing of smoking this, but this cigar had a sneaky strength that I was not expecting; I’d call the overall strength a medium plus. The flavor profile started in the full range and then quickly dialed down to medium for the remainder of the cigar. I think this cigar would be a good late morning or early afternoon smoke with some coffee, and I also think it would work well with rum.Jason’s rating: 88 (AKA “Five Pack”)See More

Brand: AVOLine: Improvisation 30thSize: Double Corona (7.5 x 50)Wrapper: Ecuadorian MarronBinder: DominicanFiller: DominicanMSRP: $16.00Cigars smoked for review: 2Cigars for review provided by: Avo CigarsQuick Note: For this review I used Cigar Federation's rating system In 2018 the AVO brand celebrates its 30th anniversary and the new Improvisations 30 Year is sixth cigar released under the Improvisations line. The cigar is packaged in 25 count white boxes with a total of 2,400 boxes being produced. This will be a one time release.Prelight:The prelight draw brought some notes of leather, a damp, musty, earthy quality, and a touch of black pepper spice that lingered on my lips and tongue. The wrapper was a medium khaki brown with some noticeable veins but a smooth overall appearance. It was really hard to spot the seams in the wrapper and the cigar felt very solid in my hand.First Third:After lighting the cigar and taking a few initial puffs, the first thing I noticed was the creamy and thick texture of the smoke. The main flavor note was very distinct and unique but also difficult to describe. It was a funky earthy flavor that reminded me of potting soil mixed with sand and a touch of black pepper spice that lingered on the palate and tongue. The retrohale was very smooth and had a whipped butter type of quality. As I progressed further into the first third that funky earthy quality remained the primary flavor and it was backed some wood notes and a gentle black pepper spice on the retrohale. It seemed like that unique earthy quality was ramping up all the way through the first third. The first third started out more on the mild side and then transitioned into medium strength and full flavor.Second Third:Going into the second third that distinct earthy flavor dropped off sharply and the cigar transitioned to more of a wood forward profile. I was also getting some creamy notes that I often associate with classic connecticut wrapper cigars, and the cream had a supery butter texture that was almost savory in the way it coated my mouth. A fresh baked bread flavor started to develop about halfway through the second third, and was very complimentary with the wood and cream flavors that remained dominant throughout the second third. The overall strength remained medium with flavors transitioning back and forth between medium and medium-full.Final Third:As I transitioned into the final third that fresh baked bread quality really took the forefront, and a warm bell pepper type of spice lingered on the finish along with some wood notes. That earthy flavor from the first third made another appearance but it was more in the background and part of the finish. There was a nice sweetness that developed in the final third too. It complimented the bread and wood notes with that earthy flavor in the background, and was a refreshing way for the cigar to finish. The final third was medium strength with medium-full flavors. Total smoking time was about 2 hours 15 minutes.Final Thoughts:Construction of this cigar was simply amazing; the draw and burn for the entire smoking experience was perfect. The ash held firmly for at least an inch at a time before dropping off. I really loved the first third of this cigar and wish I could come up with a better description for that funky earthy quality because it was a very unique flavor that I thoroughly enjoyed. The second third transitioned into more classic cigar territy, and then I liked how the sweetness entered near the end because it was refreshing on my palate after a 2 hour smoking session. This will be a great cigar for those warm summer afternoons when you can find 2+ hours to enjoy a cigar.I think this cigar would pair well with a Japanese Whiskey, a scotch finished in sherry casks like the Balvenie Doublewood, or a bourbon like Angel’s Envy.Jason’s rating: 92 (AKA “Box Split”)See More